Better Buses At Bow Brickhill

Where?

Click on the maps for an enlargement

Nobody had thought of the New City of Milton Keynes (still not a City!) in the early 1960s. The main settlement of Fenny Stratford, a staging post on the A5 ex Roman Road, Watling Street had been eclipsed by upstart Bletchley. There is Bow Brickhill on the B road between Fenny Stratford and Woburn Sands.

Even now Bow Brickhill village is outside the splurge of the new city.

But it is still part of Milton Keynes.

But as a comminuty "on the edge" and on the way to nowhere, it suffered the fate of many fringe MK bus services.

Here is the stuation in 2019 ...

We have our cursive route 17 and 18 which we met on Monday last at Woburn Sands, a version of which is shown below.

But by 2024 nothing.

Caldecotte and Walton Park are bereft of buses as well. Latterly the 11, 11A, 12 and 12A were tendered routes not run by Arriva but sporting an attractive (?) mix of vehicles!

It is probably not surprising that the routes did not survive the cut-backs!

Journey planners suggested that you catch an 8/8A to Downs Wood and walk to Bow brickhill. There is a footpath signed from Downs Wood ... 

... but totally hidden at Bow Brickhill. Even at Downs Wood you would have to know about it as it is some way from the comforting purple line of the 8/8A. There is no lighting on the path which looks as if it might be a bit squidgy!

So the villagers of Bow Brickhill were rejoicing with dancing in the streets from January 6th 2025 as their bus service returned in the form of "Loop".

It is worth just pausmg to wonder whether Bow Brickhill deserves "Loop". 

The main road through the village (Woburn Sands Road) has mainly newer housing dating from the 1930s right through tonthe present day. Some properies are delightfully old.

There is also The Wheatsheaf ...

... c/w with its recently unserved but named bus stop.

But the main part of the old settlement leads down from the Church on the hill ...

... and retains much of its character even today.

Just to the south of the church and at the top of the hill is a gorgeous area of woodland, well worth a wander ...

... and now you can get there, well, to the bottom of the hill ...

... by a much improved replacement bus service.

Generally, there is (there always was!) enough housing there to support some sort of bus service, but whether the luxury of "Loop" is asking too much is surely the big question.

So here is what Bow Brickhill, Woburn Sands and the rest of "Loop" has today.

An hourly service both ways round (once it gets going) ...

... with last circling trips at 1820 (MF) and 1620 (S) on the orange "Loop" and 1830 (MF) and 1630 (S) in the blue "Loop".

Here are the full timetables ...

... should you wish to click and enlarge them.

There is no Sunday service.

On  Friday  we go to Furzton and look at MK Connect that was available (and still is) in the localities where previous services had been withdrawn.

 Next Thrup Knee Bit blog : Thurs 16 Jan